March in Alberta is still too cold for seedlings to thrive outside (obviously, snow!), so each year we turn part of our basement into a cozy greenhouse for starting flower seedlings. Last year, I even removed an old hot tub that hadn’t been used in over 15 years, leaving just a concrete floor and cedar walls — the perfect blank canvas for our seedlings.
I grabbed some poly from Home Depot, stapled it to every wall, and set up my shelves and grow lights (only thing is, I have a breaker problem this year, hahah — but I made it work last year!). Our basement became a controlled environment for seed starting, with just the right warmth and light for tiny seedlings to flourish. If you saw it, it’s got a real Dexter vibe… but it works beautifully for growing early flowers that will later go into weekly bouquets, wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and floral installations.
Seed Starting Tips for Alberta Gardeners
I always use ProMix soil (PRO-MIX HP – 3.8 ft³ compressed, available at Canadian Tire) mixed with a handful of compost for nutrient-rich growing. Depending on the seedling, I sometimes add peat moss as well. Before planting, I sift the soil to remove clumps, giving tiny seeds the best chance to attach to the dirt and germinate successfully. (I don’t always have time for this with my kids and timing, but I try my best!)
Starting seedlings indoors in a basement greenhouse like ours is a great way (even in a smaller way) to get a head start on the growing season before Alberta’s frosts have fully passed.
Family Life Meets Seed Starting
My two older kids love helping with seed starting, which usually means dirt all over the basement, but their little hands are surprisingly helpful when it comes to adding soil and planting trays (big seedlings only for them — no snapdragon seeds, haha). Balancing planting schedules with late-night feedings for our new baby that's coming adds a whole new rhythm to farm life. Tiny sprouts and tiny hands both require patience and care — and to say I’m slightly nervous for this season and what I can accomplish is an understatement! But I’m trying to keep my focus on maintenance this season, not growth, so the farm can stay steady while life at home grows in its own way.